Bloomberg blasts PA on fireworks

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg toured the Police Auto Pound in College Point, in advance of the July Fourth weekend, to warn New Yorkers about illegal fireworks and level a blast at lawmakers in Pennsylvania.
New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly and New York City Fire Department (FDNY) Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta joined him at a noontime press conference on Friday, June 29.
The trio inspected 28 of the cars that were recently impounded during arrests for transporting fireworks into New York City.
Bloomberg, Kelly and Scoppetta discussed aspects of the Joint Fireworks Taskforce, a co-operative effort of the NYPD, FDNY, federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Nassau and Suffolk County Police Departments.
They praised the efforts of the task force, pointing out that a recent seizure of 9,000 pounds of fireworks in Brooklyn was the largest in the city's history.
They also revealed that in a similar tactic employed against gun dealers, marshals have watched fireworks stores in other states, particularly Pennsylvania, and followed cars with New York license plates.
&#8220When they crossed into New York, they were subject to arrest,” Kelly said.
Bloomberg praised law enforcement agencies, but slammed legislators in the Keystone State.
&#8220I can't understand it,” he said, speaking of their fireworks laws. &#8220You can only buy fireworks legally there if you take them out of state.”
&#8220They don't want their kids playing with fireworks, but they do a huge business selling fireworks,” he scowled. &#8220It's irrational.”
&#8220It's one of those dangers that can be easy to trivialize unless you've ever talked to an emergency room doctor,” Bloomberg said, noting that thanks to the long-term crackdown on fireworks, so far this year there has been only one child injured.
&#8220But, a seven-month boy was seriously burned by a ‘bottle rocket' or ‘Roman Candle' on Staten Island,” Bloomberg said, as he stood next to a display of seized fireworks featuring attractive packaging. &#8220He was in a stroller and got injured.”
&#8220Please don't play with fireworks,” he said frequently during the conference.
&#8220It is illegal to buy, sell or use consumer fireworks here. The possibility exists that in addition to the fines, which could result from having the fireworks, impounded vehicles may ultimately be seized and sold at auction, because they were used in illegal activity,” Kelly explained.